Saudi Authorities Detain Iraqi Officer Following Criticism of ‘israel’ During Pilgrimage
Saudi authorities have reportedly taken into custody Lieutenant Colonel Omar Nizar, a member of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Forces, following the release of a video in which he criticized Israel during his pilgrimage to Mecca.
Nizar has been taken into custody following the release of a video on social media where he expressed prayers for the success of Palestinians in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a report by The New Arab.
The video’s content is thought to have led to his arrest, and it has rapidly gained widespread attention across various online platforms.
An Iraqi officer has been handed over to the Saudi State Security Agency (SSA), but the outcome of his situation remains unclear, according to a statement by his lawyer on Iraq’s state television.
The Saudi authorities have maintained restrictions on open criticism of Israel following the onset of the Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza, which commenced in October of the previous year.
Recent official data reveals that the death toll has escalated to almost 42,000, while approximately 100,000 individuals have sustained injuries and 10,000 are reported missing. Health authorities have further indicated that women and children constitute the majority of the casualties.
Gaza is grappling with a profound humanitarian crisis, highlighted by a healthcare system teetering on the brink of collapse, following significant loss of life in recent conflicts.
According to a recent report by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor in Geneva, approximately 10 percent of Gaza’s population has been affected, either through casualties, injuries, disappearances, or detentions, as a result of Israeli military operations.
The report detailed instances of genocide, highlighting the deliberate killing of civilians in their homes, shelters, and displacement camps.
In recent weeks, Israel has escalated its military operations in Lebanon. On September 27, an Israeli air raid targeted southern Beirut, resulting in the death of Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 individuals, with the southern region of the country witnessing significant displacement as thousands have been forced to flee their homes.
Palestinian militant factions, alongside their allies in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, are continuing their activities against Israel. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations have yet to publicly address what they consider to be Israel’s controversial actions.
In a shift in narrative, Saudi media outlets have turned their criticism towards Hamas and Hezbollah, holding them accountable for the ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon.
